We acknowledge that our work takes place on Treaty 1 land,
homeland of the Red River Métis & host to Inuit neighbours.
United Way donors have been investing in Indigenous-led agency partners since 1965.
Working towards truth & reconciliation, inclusion, and success for all Winnipeggers will make our community stronger. We walk alongside the Indigenous communities in Winnipeg in a spirit of friendship.
United Way donors invest almost $2 million annually in many Indigenous-led agency partners—and many others that, while not governed and led by Indigenous people, do work in partnership with Indigenous communities.
Ogijiita Pimatiswin Kinamataawin (OPK)
Council for Indigenous Relations
The volunteer Council walks with United Way so we can hear the voices of the first peoples in our community.
Sarah Cook, Chair
Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre
Darrell Brown
Kisik Commercial Furniture
Michael Redhead Champagne
AYO! Aboriginal Youth Opportunities
Reid Hartry
LRSD Aboriginal Student Support Services
Shania Pruden
Youth activist, blogger, speaker
Andrew Spence
Winnipeg Labour Council & Workers United Canada Council
Cathy Woods
Manitoba Government Employees Union
Stephanie Zamora
Marymound Inc.
Timeline of key developments
Here’s a look at United Way’s continuing journey working with, advocating for, and embracing the Indigenous people in our community.
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1965
United Way established & first investment in an Indigenous-led organization made.
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1999
‘Journey Forward’ community engagement highlights need to strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities.
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2001
Aboriginal Task Group created; proposes environmental scan of Winnipeg’s Indigenous citizens.
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2004
Eagle’s Eye View 1st Edition published. First Aboriginal Relations Director hired.
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2005
Board approves Aboriginal Relations Strategy & Aboriginal Relations Council (ARC).
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2009
United Way donors investments in Indigenous-led agencies crosses the $1M mark.
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2010
Eagle’s Eye View 2nd Edition published.
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2010
Aboriginal Philanthropy in Canada: A Foundation for Understanding published with The Circle on Philanthropy & Aboriginal Peoples in Canada.
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2011
Talking Stick gifted to United way by ARC at Feast.
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2014
Art of Reciprocity Workshop customized for Manitoba in partnership with Native Americans in Philanthropy.
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2015
United Way participates in ONE: The Mayor’s National Summit on Racial Inclusion & Our Summit Winnipeg. Aboriginal Relations Council renamed Council for Indigenous Relations (CIR). We’re the first United Way to sign on to the The Philanthropic Community’s Declaration of Action on the recommendations of the TRC. CIR partnered with Manitoba Inuit Association for the Legacy of Hope exhibition “We Were So Far Away: The Inuit Experience of Residential Schools.”
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2016
CIR convenes Elders Circle to inform Moving Forward, our 3-year strategic plan, resulting in an inclusion strategy for participating in reconciliation. United Way includes traditional Indigenous territory acknowledgement at events & delivers cultural proficiency workshops to staff.
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2017
CIR partnered with Manitoba Metis Federation and Louis Riel Institute for the Legacy of Hope exhibition “Forgotten: The Métis Residential School Experience.”
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2017
CIR develops 7 goals aimed to build knowledge, relationships & capacity with and for Indigenous Winnipeggers. CIR’s Strategic Plan connects more deeply with United Way Winnipeg’s aim of building a Better Winnipeg Together.
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